Japan has lifted long-standing restrictions on lethal arms exports, prompting warnings from experts about a resurgence of militarism.
On April 21, 2026, the Japanese government revised its three principles on the transfer of defense equipment and technology. This change ended limits that had confined exports to five non-combat categories since earlier guidelines.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a ritual offering to the Yasukuni Shrine on the same day. The shrine honors convicted war criminals from World War II.
Chen Zilei, president of the Shanghai Association for Japanese Studies, stated that the revisions mark a shift toward offensive capabilities. He linked the moves to efforts to gain domestic right-wing support and noted historical parallels to past militarization.
China has pledged to uphold regional peace and oppose external interference while working with other nations against the rise of neo-militarism.